Latto

Born Alyssa Michelle Stephens in 1998, Latto was raised in Atlanta and began writing raps at age 10. At 16, the artist formerly known as Mulatto won The Rap Game, but ultimately turned down the prize (a deal with Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings) to stay independent and self-release mixtapes. Her breakout single, 2019’s taunting “B*tch from Da Souf,” proved her growth from a fledgling teen artist and expertly showcased her trap influences and cleverly brash bars. It also landed her a record deal with RCA Records shortly after its release. On 2020’s “Muwop,” from her debut album Queen of Da Souf, she flips Gucci Mane’s 2007 hit “Freaky Gurl,” borrowing his flow and proudly embracing her sexual prowess. Using similar tactics, “Big Energy”—the first single from her 2022 album 777—interpolated Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love” and became a global smash. The unapologetic and sexy Sugar Honey Iced Tea followed in 2024, with 2026’s Big Mama being called her “retirement album” by the artist herself. No matter if there’s more to come, Latto’s unadulterated confidence and Southern flavor have made her a standout in the 2020s golden era of women rappers.